Friday's Daily Pulse

Floridians feel good about national economy

Florida consumers are feeling good — as good as they have felt in at least 13 months. That’s the word from the University of Florida UF Survey Research Center’s latest Consumer Sentiment report. The big boost in consumer sentiment stems from a positive economic outlook on the entire nation. [Source: Business Observer]

Gov. Ron DeSantis riding 'wave of popularity' among Florida voters

Florida voters are high on Gov. Ron DeSantis. A Florida Atlantic University poll released Thursday found 54 percent of voters approving of his performance with just 19 percent disapproving — a net positive of 35 percentage points. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

See also:
» Florida voters now evenly split over Donald Trump

Drug imports could extend to state employees in Florida

State employees have been thrown into the drug importation mix. Amid a push by Gov. Ron DeSantis to allow Canadian prescription-drug imports, the House Appropriations Committee this week approved a bill that would require the Florida Department of Management Services to offer an international prescription-drug program as a benefit to state employees. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Florida workers’ comp bill with fee caps stalls as no-cap reform proposal progresses

Florida’s workers’ compensation rates declined in 2018 and 2019, but the potential fallout from two 2016 state Supreme Court rulings are currying fears that rates are poised to spike in the coming years. Reinstating workers’ compensation fee caps has been a priority for the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Associated Industries of Florida and the National Federation of Independent Business, among others, for the last three years. [Source: Florida Watchdog]

Disney is banning smoking areas in parks

Disney is eliminating smoking areas at its theme and water parks in California and Florida. The company said in a statement on Thursday that smoking also won’t be allowed at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex or Downtown Disney in California starting May 1. [Source: AP]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Tech conferences in Orlando help companies' efforts to recruit, gain exposure [Orlando Sentinel]
An increasing number of general and industry-specific meetings have given Central Florida‘s tech community more chances to get their ideas in front of others. A conference called Digital Orlando returns April 10 for a daylong showcase of entrepreneurs and technology experts from the region. The video game industry meets every month in a program called Indienomicon.

› Houston's WorkLodge coworking space coming to St. Petersburg [Tampa Bay Times]
Houston-based coworking space company WorkLodge will open its first location outside of the Lone Star state across from Williams Park this October. The St. Pete location will be about 28,000 square feet and take up the second and third floors of the office building at 136 Fourth St. N.

› Venice-based manufacturer recruits CFO from food industry [Business Observer]
Window and door manufacturer PGT Innovations appointed Sherri Baker as senior vice president and CFO, effective April 8. Baker will lead the Venice-based company’s finance strategy, budgeting and planning, accounting, financial reporting and investor relations functions.

› Why it’s not crazy to think this Florida mayor will make the 2020 presidential debates [Miami Herald]
After two months of trying to generate buzz with modest success, Wayne Messam, the 44-year-old mayor of Miramar, released his first video Thursday ahead of a presidential campaign launch Saturday afternoon at Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens.

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› How will proposed budget cuts affect Special Olympics in Central Florida? [WESH]
Proposed budget cuts from Education Secretary Betsy DeVos would slash Special Olympics funding. So what does it mean for groups in Central Florida? Special Olympics of Florida has grown significantly. In the past seven years, it has more than doubled the number of athletes who participate.

› Sarasota attorney suing earplug maker on behalf of veterans [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Sarasota attorney Bill Robertson is pursuing legal claims against the manufacturer of potentially defective earplugs worn in combat by military veterans. The company, 3M, agreed to pay $9.1 million in July 2018 as part of a settlement to resolve claims it manufactured and sold the faulty earplugs to the military between 2002 and 2016.

› South Floridians can now pick up their medical marijuana without leaving their cars [Miami Herald]
A Miami-Dade medical marijuana dispensary now features that American ode to the car and consumption — the drive-thru. Curaleaf opened its first Florida medical marijuana drive-thru in Palm Harbor last year, then opened one in Orlando.

› Lake County approves controversial gun range with restrictions — neighbors hope they can coexist [Orlando Sentinel]
A controversial gun range in Lake County, where stray bullets forced state authorities to close a treasured conservation area’s hiking and birding trails, won permission from county commissioners this week to turn their 100-acre spread into a bonafide firearms training facility.